Pre-game rain in Kansas City

Thirty minutes before the scheduled start of Sunday’s game in Kansas City, umbrellas are up in the stands and the rain, which showed up about 11:30 p.m. Saturday night, is still coming down sporadically.

The tarp has been taken off the field, but it’s still lying flat and folded in right field, ready to be put back on if needed.

The Mariners could probably use a rainout today, if for no other reason than lefty Jarrod Washburn would then be pushed back a day and could pitch Monday in Anaheim against the first-place Angels.

Not only would the Mariners’ best lefty go against his old team, but the Mariners could then push Miguel Batista back to Tuesday to cover for Horacio Ramirez, whose spot is open since he went on the disabled list with left shoulder tendinits.

And with Felix Hernandez scheduled to go Wednesday, the Mariners would then be putting two of their three most consistent starters against the first-place team.